A tooth filling is a
process of restoring damage done to teeth by removing decay and repairing the
affected tooth. Tooth fillings are a way of repairing cavities so that they do
not become larger dental issues. A filling can fix a small hole in a tooth or repair
a crack or fracture in a tooth. If left untreated tooth decay can cause serious
issues with your dental health, as you may require root canals or extractions
as a result. Tooth fillings are a good thing and can keep you smiling for a
long time. Here are a few tell-tale signs that you may need a tooth filling.
Toothache
If you are experiencing
toothache you should see a dentist if the toothache has persisted for two days
or more, as this is probably the most common sign that you will require a
filling or one of many other dental treatments.
Toothache can be caused
by many different issues which could include any of the following
●
Tooth decay
●
A dental abscess
●
A cracked or damaged
tooth
●
A loose or broken
filling
●
An infection - Often
caused by a wisdom tooth which has broken the skin, but lacks the essential
room to fully come through
●
An issue with your
braces
There are a few ways
you can help to prevent toothache and the best ways to do this are as follows,
●
Regular dental check
ups
●
Reducing the amount of
sugary food and drinks you have by having them as occasional treats at
mealtimes
●
Brushing your teeth
twice a day for approximately 2 minutes with a fluoride based toothpaste
●
Cleaning between your
teeth on a daily basis with dental floss or an interdental brush, this will
help to remove food debris and plaque from your teeth
Fractured
teeth
Whether your tooth is
fractured by an injury or general wear and tear, you can experience a variety
of symptoms. These range from erratic pain when you chew your food, to sudden
pain when your tooth is exposed to hot or cold temperatures. When a piece of
the tooth has broken off it is called a fractured cusp and often doesn’t affect
the pulp of the tooth so does not cause much pain and can usually be repaired
with a filling or a crown over the damaged tooth. Once the affected tooth has
been treated it can usually continue to function as intended for many years of
pain-free biting and chewing.
Tooth
crazing
Craze lines are
vertical lines or cracks on the tooth enamel and these are caused by stress
placed on a tooth. These issues can be caused by a lifetime of chewing, by
issues such as temporomandibular joint problems, clenching and grinding of
teeth, or biting of fingernails. These cracks in the surface of the tooth darken
over time and are often unsightly, but they can be treated by the application
of enamel coloured filling material. This type of tooth filling is often called
cosmetic bonding.
Tooth crazing can be
easily prevented by the following,
●
Do not chew on hard objects.
For example, ice, unpopped popcorn kernels, or pens and pen lids
●
Do not clench or grind
your teeth
●
If you are prone to
clenching or grinding your teeth in your sleep talk to your dentist about
getting a retainer or mouth guard which should help protect your teeth
●
Wear a retainer or
mouth guard when participating in contact sports
Tooth
wear
Tooth wear is often
caused by three processes. These are attrition, abrasion and erosion and can
lead to a condition known as abfraction, which is where tooth tissue is
‘fractured’ due to stress lesions caused by extrinsic force on the enamel.
Abrasion often comes hand in hand with erosion and as such a toothbrush and
toothpaste will easily remove a softened layer of tooth. So it is advised to
brush gently but thoroughly with a small amount of toothpaste.
Tooth wear is a very
common condition. It is a normal physiological process which occurs throughout
life. There are however a couple of alternate ways in which tooth wear can
occur. These are bruxism or teeth grinding and can sometimes cause chipping and
further damage to teeth.
Once again this can be
repaired by using an enamel coloured filling material repairing the teeth and
restoring the surface. These kinds of tooth fillings can help to improve your
bite and ability to chew. Once the teeth have been repaired it is advised to
use a night guard to prevent further wear on the teeth.
Dark
spots on teeth
The discolouration of
teeth is called fluorosis. It can often appear as white or greyish streaks across the teeth and in severe cases can
cause dark brown spots or pits. You may also find that dark spots on your teeth
are caused by internal decay from cavities or other serious dental issues. A
cavity is a small hole which appears when the protective layer of the tooth is
broken down, but you can always have your dentist check to see if the dark
spots on your teeth are caused by a cavity.
When
your floss tears in a certain spot
Flossing removes plaque
and debris that sticks to the space in between the teeth and gums. It polishes
the tooth surface and can help prevent bad breath. It is recommended to floss
or use an interdental brush on a daily basis to help prevent gum disease and
the buildup of plaque and debris. If you experience a slight tearing of the
floss when you do this it may mean that you have the starts of tooth decay and
that there may be a small hole in the enamel of your tooth.
If you have experienced
or noticed any of the above tell-tale signs you should seek help from your
dentist. If you are not registered with a dentist there are other potential
ways to seek assistance, with 24 hour emergency dentists London and
available in many other regions of the UK. If the services are not 24 hours you
may have to wait to be seen until the dentist is open, usually in normal
business hours from Monday to Friday. There are NHS options available to assist
at most Primary Care locations at hospitals across the country.
